Paterson Water Main Break: 18,000 Residents Without Water, New Boil Advisory Issued

Latest Water Main Break in Paterson

• 💧 A new water main break occurred off North First and Arch Street in Paterson, New Jersey, leaving approximately 18,000 residents in the Riverside section without water.
• 🛠️ Crews are working at two sites: one to repair the 42-inch leak and another to install a line stop to restore service.
• ⚠️ A boil water advisory has been issued for Paterson, Prospect Park, Haledon, and North Haledon due to the ongoing issue.

Impact on Residents and Previous Issues

• 😩 Residents are experiencing significant frustration, with some having spent more time without water this month than with it.
• 🔄 This new break comes just over two weeks after a previous 30 and 24-inch main break on August 8th, which took over a week to repair, leaving some residents still recovering.
• 👴 The city's water infrastructure is aging, with pipes reportedly being 120 to 140 years old, contributing to the recurring problems.

Repair Efforts and Future Outlook

• 📉 Efforts to restore water pressure in Fair Lawn were partially successful by utilizing sources from other towns.
• ⏸️ The Passaic Valley Water Commission has suspended its comprehensive flushing program to address the new leak.
• ⏳ It remains unclear when the 42-inch water main will be fully repaired, and families are preparing for a potentially extended period without reliable water service.